ASTiNet is an ASTi proprietary protocol that provides simple and flexible networking for ASTi Telestra 4 and future ASTi systems. ASTiNet features include:

• IPv6-based: positions it for use well into the future
• Auto-Configuration: a simply plug-and-play set up, user does not have to configure the IP broadcast and/or multicast addresses
• Peer-to-Peer: eliminates the requirement and bottleneck associated with a central server
• Voice-over-IP Capability: provides an easy to setup and use, many-to-many communications mechanism
• Scalable: from simple voice to advanced radio simulation support
• Flexible Message Format: provides extensibility for use in future applications
• Seamless Integration: integrates with DIS, HLA and other protocols

With the introduction of the Telestra 4 ACE generation of ASTi equipment, ASTiNet is the fundamental networking technology with gateways to other protocols such as DIS, HLA and VoIP protocols.

ASTiNet VoIP is integrated with the ASTiNet protocol architecture and provides the following core characteristics geared towards the DoD and the virtual training and simulation world:

• Ease of set-up and use
• Support for unlimited conference nets
• Support for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint
• Leverage IPv6 features such as QoS and security to match the upcoming DoD mandates
• Minimize configuration requirements for WAN/Firewall passage
• Auto setup where feasible
• Peer-to-peer paradigm, i.e., no single point of failure

Although many VoIP solutions adhere at some level to open standards, in practice, reliable working solutions are all effectively proprietary at some level because the implementation is dependent upon specific hardware and subsets of the standard. All VoIP open standards involve a high degree of complexity because they address interoperability across a range of applications and hardware/codecs.

Our initial solution will only support ASTiNet VoIP , however we are anticipating that we will create a gateway platform product to bridge to the various VoIP protocols deployed in the field (i.e., SIP, H.323, Cisco Call Manager, etc.). Timing of support for these various VoIP protocols will be customer driven.

ASTiNet and ASTiNet VoIP are supported on the latest generation of ASTi products including:

• Telestra 4 Target
• ACE Studio
• Voisus

Note: ASTiNet and VoIP features will vary depending on the specific product. Refer to product documentation for details.